What was the last movie you saw...? Part IV

[Charger]

THE SEVEN UPS (Courtesy of Typhon!)

A tough cop squad in the NYPD is doing some routine stakeout when one of their own gets killed by a crew that is targeting mobsters for ransom. The leader of the squad Buddy (played brilliantly by Roy Scheider) makes it his mission to find the ones responsible.

The movie starts out bit slowly setting the scene but then it explodes into one of the greatest car chases of the 70s! This has some of the same realistic grittiness that The French Connection had, which is no surprise as some of the same creative forces were behind both films. And even the main character Buddy is based on the same character that French Connection's Cloudy was based on..Sonny Grosso, who worked as a creative consultant/writer on both films. And both are loosely inspired by actual events.
Also producer Philip D'Antoni wanted William Friedkin to direct this one as well but he wasn't interested in doing another so similar film so D'Antoni directed this himself.

The car chase is rather phenomenal and most certainly the main focus point of the movie. And what is spectacular about it, it doesn't feature loud music or fast edits (which seem to be the way car chases have been done in the past 20 or so years) but long shorts and only engine and tire noices as the soundtrack...making it a very immersive experience.

The movie isn't as intense or as brilliant as The French Connection but it's clearly a gritty tough 70s cop action flick...and I have to say I am ashamed that I have never seen this before!


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[Zzzptm]

Glengarry Glen Ross

Because I'm livin that scenario in my current job.

[Charger]

THE PACKAGE

On the eve of a major treaty between the USSR and the USA a army sergeant Gallagher is ordered to transport a prisoner to the US. Once they land he prisoner escapes and Gallagher is blamed...but he soon discovers that the prisoner wasn't who he thought he was and accidentally involves himself and his ex-wife in a very sinister plot and are forced to go on the run and at the same time try to prevent an assassination of a high profile target.

Gene Hackman and Tommy Lee Jones star in an end of the cold war era action thriller that doesn't really let you take a rest. And both do a great job, especially Gene Hackman, who wasn't your average action star.

Director Andrew Davis already here proved that he can direct great action thrillers even before his masterpieces The Fugitive and Under Siege. The script is well written and has enough twists and turns to keep you entertained and on the edge of your seat.

Something of a forgotten gem of the late 80s this one.

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[Typhon]

@Charger:  You are pretty accurate and thorough with these movie reviews.  I was especially impressed with the your review of the Seven-Ups.  You may have a second career with this. 

[Charger]

Thanks bud! That's very nice of you to say.

I have written reviews (movie and album) for over 25 years in some form or another...never professionally though...mainly because I don't wanna watch (or listen) to garbage which you'd have to if you'd be doing it professionally!